It’s potentially the greatest free-agent class in baseball history, a Who’s Who of All-Stars, MVPs and Cy Young winners entering the marketplace next winter, set to earn the biggest paydays by anyone who ever played the game.

It also has many of these same players scared to death.

They watched in horror this offseason, not believing what they saw.

They want to believe it was only an anomaly, and normalcy will prevail nine months from now with their star-studded class, but the fear is having no clue what will transpire.

Welcome to the new era of free agency, where glossy credentials can be minimized by an algorithm, leaving players confused, angry and approaching with a sense of dread the six-year finish line they long dreamed about.

Little wonder why Baltimore Orioles closer Brad Brach says: “Man, this is supposed to be something you’re excited for, but after watching what happened. I almost wish I had one more year of arbitration left.’’

This 10-member cast alone, if all opt for free agency, could top $2 billion in contracts, led by Harper and Machado, who are just 25 years old.

Their free agent odyssey next winter is no longer merely about their own fortune, but also that of a union that once was counted among the most powerful in the country.

“As players, we need them to secure the biggest and longest contracts,’’ says Max Scherzer, the Washington Nationals’ three-time Cy Young winner. “We need this class to push the market higher and higher as revenues go higher and higher.

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Another kind of history was made this off-season: With Opening Day looming just 22 days from now, former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta remains unsigned, as do solid No. 2 starters in Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn. J.D. Martinez, who ripped 45 home runs in 119 games last year, finally relented and signed with his lone serious suitor, the Boston Red Sox.

Dozens of middle- and lower-tier free agents remain without jobs.

Considering only three players signed contracts exceeding $80 million this past winter, is it possible that the owners try to roll back the prices again on the Louvre of baseball's free-agent classes next winter, even as industry revenues top $11 billion?

‘‘The owners are smart, they know they’d be picking on the wrong guys to try to suppress the top of the market,’’ says Scherzer, who’s in the fourth year of a seven-year, $210 million contract. “I really hope the owners compete early in the free-agent calendar and not try to back the whole market up with the type of marquee players that will be available.

“We don’t need to hear more excuses about teams not spending actively this year to make sure their resources are available next year. Things better start acting normally.’’

The 2018 season could mark the first time since the luxury tax was implemented in 1997 that no team in baseball will exceed the threshold. The New York Yankees, who have paid $319.6 million in taxes since 2003, are planning to be under the $197 million luxury tax for the first time. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have paid $149.7 million in taxes in just the last five seasons, have also modeled their payroll structure to be below the threshold. Suddenly, every owner is desperate to be under the luxury tax so that it can re-set for the 2019 season, with the Dodgers and Yankees lowering their tax rates from 50% to 20%, enabling them to again spend as wildly as they desire.

“It was a perfect storm where the timing worked out horribly for a lot of people," says Astros ace and two-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. "When you have all of these teams that wanted to be under the luxury tax, and with so many teams tanking, it’s not conducive to a good free-agent market.’’

The players and agents are livid with the collective bargaining agreement, convinced it’s greatly flawed, prompting more teams to be interested in garnering high draft picks than actually trying to win a playoff berth.

“There are a lot of guys pretty disappointed the way things are going,’’ Verlander says, “and everybody should be. I think a lot of players realize that maybe we gave away too much (in the last collective bargaining agreement). Maybe we should have done a better job seeing the big picture.

“We see it now, but unfortunately, it’s kind of at the detriment of some free agents.’’

Yet, while players such as Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has suggested a player strike, the CBA doesn’t expire until Dec. 1, 2021, leaving three free-agent classes vulnerable to similar free-agent freezes.

"Honestly, if we players stick together," says Astros lefty and 2018 free agent Dallas Keuchel, "I don’t think it will happen again.
There’s no way the money isn’t going to be there this time around."(Photo: Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports)

“I know guys are upset, and everyone’s talking about how much the owners got in the CBA,’’ Keuchel says, “and how much we lost. But honestly, if we players stick together, I don’t think it will happen again.

“There’s no way the money isn’t going to be there this time around. There’s too many really, really, talented players that have plaques in their houses and are generational players. You’re talking about three potential Hall of Famers (Kershaw, Harper and Machado)."

Says St. Louis Cardinals two-time 20-game winner Adam Wainwright, who also is eligible for free agency: “It seems like owners are really trying to put pressure on the players. But when you talk about next year, and the superstar players out there like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, I don’t think you’ll have any problem seeing teams bidding on those guys.’’

Harper and Machado remain confident this year’s free-agent hangover won’t affect them. The Yankees will be back in play, and they already have their sights on Machado. The Los Angeles Dodgers should have plenty of money for Harper, and perhaps the Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, too.

“This year was a little crazy, and we got a glimpse at what can possibly happen,’’ Machado says. “Hopefully, for our sake, it won’t happen again. You’re still going to have the best teams wanting the best players out there to make them money. They’ll get the guys they want.

“And with so many elite players coming out, it’s going to be fun to see what happens. It’ll be interesting, I’ll tell you that.’’

Then again, it’ll be intriguing if this cold winter scares any prospective free agents into signing extensions, foregoing the open market. Outfielder Justin Upton, who could have opted out of his contract, instead stayed put when the Angels added another year to his contract, turning it into a five-year, $106 million extension. New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka could have opted out, too, but said he never considered leaving with three years and $67 million still left on his deal. Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler and Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu say they’re willing to engage in extension talks before the start of the season.

“I would hope that if a guy signs an extension,’’ Donaldson says, “it’s the right deal, and they’re not signing just because of what happened. The players that are very good, and do very well in this game, are going to be paid.

“My advice is believing in yourself, and believing what you’re capable of doing, and when it’s your time to be a free agent, you’re going to do just fine.’’

Says Scherzer: “You have to believe in your talent, no matter what free-agent year you’re in. This year was probably as painful and crazy as any offseason we’ve ever seen. But that’s what the owners want. They want you to panic. To create chaos. You just can’t blink.

“You believe in yourself 1,000%, make your determinations, and you don’t come off it.’’

Certainly, it happened this year. There had never been a free-agent contract exceeding $100 million signed past the month of January before this year, and there were three in February alone with Yu Darvish, Eric Hosmer and Martinez. Who knows, in a year, we may have our first $400 million, $300 million and $200 million deals stretching past the holiday season.

“It’s going to be fascinating to watch,’’ says Phillies reliever Pat Neshek, who signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract. “We’ll see. But if stuff keeps happening the way it is now, I don’t think we’ll be too happy. There’s a lot of angry people already. You could see a strike in 2020-21.’’

Says Astros pitcher Charlie Morton, who also is eligible for free agency this winter: “I do worry about what’s going to happen. There were so many people in the union, and players before me, who made it possible for me to make as much money as I did in my career.

“I just hope that teams can work out fair deals next season, and guys don’t have to wait until February or March to sign a contract. Neither side wants conflict, but there might be if things aren’t fair.’’

This free-agent class that has been hyped for years, producing perhaps its first $400 million, or even $500 million player, now just might be responsible for labor peace.

“I’m not envious of those guys who are going to be free agents,’’ San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria says. “In the past, guys were excited to go through free agency and doing all of the meet-and-greets.

“Now, it seems like it’s all stress.

“For the players’ sake, and the game of baseball’s sake, we’ve got to get this thing cleaned up and turned around. Before it’s too late.’’

March 23: Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, center, is looked over by manager Bruce Bochy, right, and a trainer after getting hit by a comebacker. He'll need surgery for a broken left hand. Chris Carlson, AP

March 21: Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman does his best Uncle Sam impression in the dugout during a spring-training game against the Phillies at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Fla. Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports

March 20: Cardinals center fielder Randy Arozarena shows off his 2017 Florida State League championship ring won as a player with the Palm Beach Cardinals before St. Louis' spring-training game against the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports

March 20: Diamondbacks players stand during the national anthem prior to Arizona's game against the Angels during their spring-training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

March 11: The Dodgers' Justin Turner loses his helmet as he slides safely into third base against the Rockies during the fourth inning at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz. Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 24: Former Angels outfielder and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee Vladimir Guerrero throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Angels' game against the Brewers at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Matt Kartozian, Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 24: Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani waves to the crowd after finishing the first inning of his spring-training debut against the Brewers at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports

Feb. 14: Spring trainings most intriguing camp will be its 31st - the one in Bradenton, Fla., where former Astros manager Bo Porter will conduct workouts for the unemployed masses. Douglas DeFelice, USA TODAY SPORTS